Starting off

asomeday

Hi folks

Have decided that we will build rather than buy in order to get exactly what we want {while still being conscious of budget}

We want a 4 bed two storey house & have very strong opinions and ideas ourselves about the design and layout of it!

Would it be advisable to employ an architect or an architectural technician considering we don't require design input just technical knowledge ???

Thanks

muffler

asomeday wrote: »

Would it be advisable to employ an architect or an architectural technician considering we don't require design input just technical knowledge ???

Short answer is yes.

What you have in mind may not necessarily be the best or indeed acceptable layout/design. Building regulations dictate a lot of things at the moment.

BryanF

asomeday wrote: »

considering we don't require design input just technical knowledge ???

I guarantee that is just not true, and if you still feel it is at the end of your project please comeback and tell me so, If I had a euro...

Go a get 3 quotes by 3 archs, discuss the project with them, ask them about there previous work, discuss your budget, tell them your wish list, see what they have to say and take it from there.

also discuss the whole job - not just achieving planning

May i suggest you read around the subject of passive house design, particularly relating to orientation and a southern aspect layout, building fabric, MVHR and heat loss. (please don't associate this with an extra cash spend - these are SOME of the principles that all new buildings must address)

Ensure whoever you do hire is au fait with low energy design & current building practices, the current part L 2011/ BER complaince and also preferably the PHPP calculator

sydthebeat

asomeday wrote: »

We want a 4 bed two storey house & have very strong opinions and ideas ourselves about the design and layout of it!

The local authority planners also have "strong opinions" as to what design and concept is suitable for particular areas and, to be blunt, its their final call as to what you can build or not. A good local architect or technician will let you know what form of design is acceptable or not, and whether what your propose is within these parameteres or not.

For starters read this document.

Pay particular attention to pages 20-23, 36-39, 60-72

asomeday

sydthebeat wrote: »

asomeday wrote: »

We want a 4 bed two storey house & have very strong opinions and ideas ourselves about the design and layout of it!

The local authority planners also have "strong opinions" as to what design and concept is suitable for particular areas and, to be blunt, its their final call as to what you can build or not. A good local architect or technician will let you know what form of design is acceptable or not, and whether what your propose is within these parameteres or not.

For starters read this document.

Pay particular attention to pages 20-23, 36-39, 60-72

Hiya

Thanks for that! I suppose i didnt explain myself properly in original post.
What I meant by strong opinions was that we actually want a house that functions as a house and not an architectural design piece. We will be building in rural Roscommon between two traditional houses so we want it to fit in with it's surroundings rather than being ultra modern.

Also in relation to passive house design I will have a look into that.

Cheers folks

No6

asomeday wrote: »

Hiya

Thanks for that! I suppose i didnt explain myself properly in original post.
What I meant by strong opinions was that we actually want a house that functions as a house and not an architectural design piece. We will be building in rural Roscommon between two traditional houses so we want it to fit in with it's surroundings rather than being ultra modern.

Also in relation to passive house design I will have a look into that.

Cheers folks

You will still need someone to prepare the planning submission for you, ensure your house (no matter what it looks like) complies with building regulations, local planning requirements, enviornmental standards etc etc.. so yes you need someone who knows what they are doing.

asomeday

No6 wrote: »

You will still need someone to prepare the planning submission for you, ensure your house (no matter what it looks like) complies with building regulations, local planning requirements, enviornmental standards etc etc.. so yes you need someone who knows what they are doing.

Yes that's the technical knowledge I was talking about! But back to original question Should we opt for an arch or an arch tech for this?

PaperArchitect

asomeday wrote: »

Hiya

Thanks for that! I suppose i didnt explain myself properly in original post.
What I meant by strong opinions was that we actually want a house that functions as a house and not an architectural design piece. We will be building in rural Roscommon between two traditional houses so we want it to fit in with it's surroundings rather than being ultra modern.

Also in relation to passive house design I will have a look into that.

Cheers folks

Architects don't design with an intention of creating a "piece", everything they do is grounded in the context of the local area, architects are trained to design buildings that fit in; therefore it is an architect you are after.

asomeday

PaperArchitect wrote: »

asomeday wrote: »

Hiya

Thanks for that! I suppose i didnt explain myself properly in original post.
What I meant by strong opinions was that we actually want a house that functions as a house and not an architectural design piece. We will be building in rural Roscommon between two traditional houses so we want it to fit in with it's surroundings rather than being ultra modern.

Also in relation to passive house design I will have a look into that.

Cheers folks

Architects don't design with an intention of creating a "piece", everything they do is grounded in the context of the local area, architects are trained to design buildings that fit in; therefore it is an architect you are after.

Thank you

No6

PaperArchitect wrote: »

Architects don't design with an intention of creating a "piece", everything they do is grounded in the context of the local area, architects are trained to design buildings that fit in; therefore it is an architect you are after.

Or an architectural technologist as in fairness there is very little "design" involved in what what the op describes. Have a chat with local Architects and Technologists, get and idea of their fees for the work and see some samples of their work and then decide who can deliver what you want from the project.

asomeday

No6 wrote: »

PaperArchitect wrote: »

Architects don't design with an intention of creating a "piece", everything they do is grounded in the context of the local area, architects are trained to design buildings that fit in; therefore it is an architect you are after.

Or an architectural technologist as in fairness there is very little "design" involved in what what the op describes. Have a chat with local Architects and Technologists, get and idea of their fees for the work and see some samples of their work and then decide who can deliver what you want from the project.

Thanks for this-even the plans I've researched online are all out of kilter with what we have in mind (which hasn't changed for three years) its just the build technology knowledge we need to be advised on & how easily that will fit in with out plans

muffler

asomeday wrote: »

its just the build technology knowledge we need to be advised on & how easily that will fit in with out plans

Get a good local architectural technician/technologist and they will sort things for you.

beyondpassive

@ asomeday PM sent.